Upcasting

Upcasting is when a spellcaster chooses to use a higher level spell slot to cast a lower level spell. Many spells gain additional damage dice, a larger area of effect, allow for more targets, or are otherwise improved when upcast, though some spells gain no additional benefit other than the fact that they are treated as a higher level spell.

Because the Warlock's Pact Magic feature always grants spell slots at their highest known spell level, lower level spells are always upcast to that level, with the exception of lower-level spell slots gained from other sources.

Cantrips do not use spell slots, although damage dealing cantrips grow more powerful as a character gains levels. Typically, Upon reaching character levels 5 and 10, an additional damage die is added (or, in the case of Eldritch Blast, an additional beam is added). This is automatic: a spellcaster cannot choose to cast a cantrip as if they were of lower level. While not technically upcasting, it is a similar enough process to be included here.

List of spells that benefit from upcasting[edit | edit source]

Name	Level	Duration	Range/Area	Attack/Save	Damage/Effect
Acid Splash	C	-	18 m / 60ft  2m / 7ft (Radius)	DEX save	1d6Acid
Bone Chill	C	1 turn	18 m / 60ft	Attack roll	1d8Necrotic
Booming Blade	C	1 turn	Weapon Range	Attack roll	Normal weapon damage 1d8Thunder
Bursting Sinew	C	-	18 m / 60 ft  3m / 10ft (Radius)	DEX save	1d10Piercing
Dirty Trick: Vicious Mockery	C	1 turn	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	1d4Psychic
Eldritch Blast	C	-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	1d10Force
Fire Bolt	C	-	18 m / 60ft	Attack roll	1d10Fire
Poison Spray	C	-	3 m / 10ft	CON save	1d12Poison
Produce Flame	C	Long Rest	Self	-	1d8Fire
Produce Flame: Hurl	C	-	9 m / 30ft	Attack roll	1d8Fire
Pulling Web	C	-	9 m / 30ft	-	1d6Piercing
Ray of Frost	C	1 turn	18 m / 60ft	Attack roll	1d8Cold
Sacred Flame	C	-	18 m / 60ft	DEX save	1d8Radiant
Shocking Grasp	C	1 turn	1.5 m / 5 ft	Attack roll	1d8Lightning
Thorn Whip	C	-	9 m / 30ft	Attack roll	1d6Piercing
Toll the Dead	C	-	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	1d12Necrotic
Vicious Mockery	C	1 turn	18 m / 60ft	WIS save	1d4Psychic
Animal Friendship	1	10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Armour of Agathys	1	Long Rest	Self	-	5Cold
Arms of Hadar	1	1 turn	Self  3m / 10ft (Radius)	STR save	2d6Necrotic
Bane	1	10 turns	9 m / 30ft	CHA save	-
Bless	1	10 turns	9 m / 30ft	-	-
Burning Hands	1	-	Self  5m / 17ft (Cone)	DEX save	3d6Fire
Charm Person	1	10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Chromatic Orb	1	-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	-
Chromatic Orb: Acid	1	-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	2d8Acid
Chromatic Orb: Cold	1	-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	2d8Cold
Chromatic Orb: Fire	1	-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	2d8Fire
Chromatic Orb: Lightning	1	-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	2d8Lightning
Chromatic Orb: Poison	1	-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	2d8Poison
Chromatic Orb: Thunder	1	-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	3d8Thunder
Colour Spray	1	1 turn	Self  5m / 17ft (Cone)	-	-
Command	1	-	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Command: Approach	1	1 turn	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Command: Drop	1	1 turn	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Command: Flee	1	1 turn	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Command: Grovel	1	1 turn	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Command: Halt	1	1 turn	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Create or Destroy Water	1	-	9 m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	-	-
Create Water	1	3 turns	9 m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	-	-
Cure Wounds	1	-	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	1d8 + Spellcasting modifierHealing
Destroy Water	1	-	9 m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	-	-
Dissonant Whispers	1	2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	3d6Psychic
Ensnaring Strike	1	10 turns	-	Attack roll STR save	Normal weapon damage 1d6Piercing
Ensnaring Strike (Melee)	1	10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	Attack roll STR save	Normal weapon damage 1d6Piercing
Ensnaring Strike (Ranged)	1	10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll STR save	Normal weapon damage 1d6Piercing
False Life	1	Long Rest	Self	-	-
Fog Cloud	1	-	18 m / 60ft  5m / 17ft (Radius)	-	-
Guiding Bolt	1	2 turns	18 m / 60ft	Attack roll	4d6Radiant
Hail of Thorns	1	-	18 m / 60 ft  2m / 7ft (Radius)	Attack roll DEX save	Normal weapon damage 1d10Piercing
Healing Word	1	-	18 m / 60ft	-	1d4 + Spellcasting modifierHealing
Hellish Rebuke	1	-	-	-	2d10Fire
Heroism	1	10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Ice Knife	1	-	18 m / 60ft  2m / 7ft (Radius)	Attack roll DEX save	1d10Piercing 2d6Cold
Inflict Wounds	1	-	1.5 m / 5 ft	Attack roll	3d10Necrotic
Longstrider	1	Long Rest	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Luminous Arrow	1	-	18 m / 60ft	Attack roll	1d8 + Spellcasting modifierRadiant
Magic Missile	1	-	18 m / 60ft	-	1d4 + 1Force 1d4 + 1Force 1d4 + 1Force
Ray of Sickness	1	2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll CON save	2d8Poison
Searing Smite	1	10 turns	Weapon Range	Attack roll	Normal weapon damage 1d6Fire 1d6Fire
Sleep	1	2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	-	-
Thunderwave	1	-	1.5 m / 5 ft  5m / 17ft (Cube)	CON save	2d8Thunder
Witch Bolt	1	10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	1d12Lightning
Aid	2	Long Rest	Self  9m / 30ft (Radius)	-	-
Bear's Endurance	2	Long Rest	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Blindness	2	10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	CON save	-
Branding Smite	2	10 turns	Weapon Range	Attack roll	Normal weapon damage 2d6Radiant
Branding Smite (Melee)	2	10 turns	Weapon Range	Attack roll	Normal weapon damage 2d6Radiant
Branding Smite (Ranged)	2	10 turns	Weapon Range	Attack roll	Normal weapon damage 2d6Radiant
Bull's Strength	2	Long Rest	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Cat's Grace	2	Long Rest	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Cloud of Daggers	2	-	18 m / 60 ft	-	4d4Slashing
Eagle's Splendour	2	Long Rest	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Enhance Ability	2	-	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Flame Blade	2	-	Self	-	-
Flaming Sphere	2	-	18 m / 60 ft  2m / 7ft (Radius)	DEX save	2d6Fire
Fox's Cunning	2	Long Rest	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Heat Metal	2	10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	CON save	2d8Fire
Hold Person	2	10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Invisibility	2	10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Magic Weapon	2	Long Rest	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Melf's Acid Arrow	2	1 turn	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	4d4Acid 2d4Acid
Moonbeam	2	-	18 m / 60 ft  1m / 3ft (Radius)	CON save	2d10Radiant
Move Moonbeam	2	-	18 m / 60 ft  1m / 3ft (Radius)	CON save	2d10Radiant
Murderous Cloud of Daggers	2	-	18 m / 60 ft	-	6d4Piercing
Owl's Wisdom	2	Long Rest	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Prayer of Healing	2	-	Self  9m / 30ft (Radius)	-	2d8 + Spellcasting modifierHealing
Reapply Heat Metal	2	10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	CON save	2d8Fire
Scorching Ray	2	-	18 m / 60 ft	Attack roll	2d6Fire 2d6Fire 2d6Fire
Shadow Blade	2	-	Self	-	2d8 + Strength or Dexterity modifierPsychic
Shatter	2	-	18 m / 60 ft  3m / 10ft (Radius)	CON save	3d8Thunder
Spiritual Weapon	2	-	18 m / 60 ft	-	1d8 + 1 + Spellcasting modifierForce
Spiritual Weapon: Greataxe	2	2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	-	1d8 + 1 + Spellcasting modifierForce
Spiritual Weapon: Greatsword	2	2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	-	1d8 + 1 + Spellcasting modifierForce
Spiritual Weapon: Halberd	2	2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	-	1d8 + 1 + Spellcasting modifierForce
Spiritual Weapon: Maul	2	2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	-	1d8 + 1 + Spellcasting modifierForce
Spiritual Weapon: Spear	2	2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	-	1d8 + 1 + Spellcasting modifierForce
Spiritual Weapon: Trident	2	2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	-	1d8 + 1 + Spellcasting modifierForce
Activate Call Lightning	3	-	18 m / 60ft  2m / 7ft (Radius)	DEX save	3d10Lightning
Animate Dead	3	-	3 m / 10ft	-	-
Bestow Curse	3	-	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Bestow Curse: Additional Damage	3	10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	1d8Necrotic
Bestow Curse: Attack Disadvantage	3	10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Bestow Curse: Charisma Disadvantage	3	10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Bestow Curse: Constitution Disadvantage	3	10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Bestow Curse: Dexterity Disadvantage	3	10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Bestow Curse: Dread	3	10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Bestow Curse: Intelligence Disadvantage	3	10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Bestow Curse: Strength Disadvantage	3	10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Bestow Curse: Wisdom Disadvantage	3	10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	WIS save	-
Call Lightning	3	10 turns	18 m / 60ft  2m / 7ft (Radius)	DEX save	3d10Lightning
Call of the Crustacean	3	-	18 m / 60ft	-	-
Counterspell	3	-	-	-	-
Elemental Weapon	3	-	18 m / 60 ft	-	-
Elemental Weapon: Acid	3	Long Rest	18 m / 60 ft	-	-
Elemental Weapon: Cold	3	Long Rest	18 m / 60 ft	-	-
Elemental Weapon: Fire	3	Long Rest	18 m / 60 ft	-	-
Elemental Weapon: Lightning	3	Long Rest	18 m / 60 ft	-	-
Elemental Weapon: Thunder	3	Long Rest	18 m / 60 ft	-	-
Fireball	3	-	18 m / 60ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	DEX save	8d6Fire
Glyph of Warding	3	-	9 m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	DEX save	-
Glyph of Warding: Acid	3	-	9 m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	DEX save	5d8Acid
Glyph of Warding: Cold	3	-	9 m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	DEX save	5d8Cold
Glyph of Warding: Fire	3	-	9 m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	DEX save	5d8Fire
Glyph of Warding: Lightning	3	-	9 m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	DEX save	5d8Lightning
Glyph of Warding: Thunder	3	-	9 m / 30ft  4m / 13ft (Radius)	DEX save	5d8Thunder
Grant Flight	3	10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	-	-
Lightning Arrow	3	-	18 m / 60 ft  3m / 10ft (Radius)	Attack roll DEX save	4d8Lightning 2d8Lightning
Lightning Bolt	3	-	Self  30m / 100ft	DEX save	8d6Lightning
Mass Healing Word	3	-	Self  18m / 60ft (Radius)	-	1d4 + Spellcasting modifierHealing
Spirit Guardians	3	-	Self  3m / 10ft (Radius)	WIS save	-
Spirit Guardians: Necrotic	3	10 turns	Self  3m / 10ft (Radius)	WIS save	3d8Necrotic
Spirit Guardians: Radiant	3	10 turns	Self  3m / 10ft (Radius)	WIS save	3d8Radiant
Vampiric Touch	3	10 turns	1.5 m / 5 ft	Attack roll	3d6Necrotic
Banishment	4	2 turns	18 m / 60 ft	CHA save	-
Blight	4	-	9 m / 30ft	CON save	8d8Necrotic
Confusion	4	3 turns	18 m / 60 ft  6m / 20ft (Radius)	WIS save	-
Ice Storm	4	-	18 m / 60ft  6m / 20ft (Radius)	DEX save	2d8Bludgeoning 4d6Cold
Phantasmal Killer	4	10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	4d10Psychic
Wall of Fire	4	-	18 m / 60ft	DEX save	5d8Fire
Cloudkill	5	-	18 m / 60ft	-	5d8Poison
Cone of Cold	5	-	Self  9m / 30ft (Cone)	CON save	8d8Cold
Conjure Elemental	5	-	18 m / 60 ft	-	-
Flame Strike	5	-	18 m / 60ft  3m / 10ft (Radius)	DEX save	5d6Fire 5d6Radiant
Hold Monster	5	10 turns	18 m / 60 ft	WIS save	-
Insect Plague	5	-	18 m / 60 ft  6m / 20ft (Radius)	CON save	4d10Piercing
Mass Cure Wounds	5	-	18 m / 60 ft	-	3d8 + Spellcasting modifierHealing
Infernal Salve	6	-	18 m / 60ft	-	3d6Healing

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